Revised guidelines for the training of Health and Safety Representatives

The role and powers of HSRs and the requirement for them to undertake OHS training are outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act). The Act requires that training must be conducted through a course accredited by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC). The SRCC recently endorsed new guidelines for the training of HSRs in the Commonwealth jurisdiction. The Guidelines - Health and Safety Representatives training in the Commonwealth jurisdiction is now available.

The publication outlines the SRCC's strengthened framework for monitoring accredited courses to promote a more effective and transparent administrative process. The guidelines also outline learning outcomes for each of the existing four training objectives, encouraging and facilitating an instructional shift from teaching to learning.

The guidelines come into effect today.

• You do not need to take any action until contacted by the Workplace Arrangements Team.
• Comcare is currently reassessing all accredited HSR Training Courses to determine which courses meet the requirements in the revised guidelines, and which courses require modification.
• Comcare will provide all training providers with the completed reassessment reports detailing the status of their course. Where relevant, the reassessment reports will detail changes to be made to bring a course into line with the requirements in the revised guidelines.
  
• It is intended that providers of courses not meeting the requirements in the revised guidelines will be given an appropriate time (3 months) in which to modify/change their courses.

For further information please call Comcare's OHS Policy section on 1300 366 979 or email us.

Also see:

• Health & safety representatives pages
• View the Guidelines - Health and Safety Representatives training in the Commonwealth Jurisdiction [pdf]